Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Year after year, more Mill Creek homeowners use rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Transitioning to solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Mill Creek. These trusted providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Award_winning
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Award_winning
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is right for you, consider these key factors.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Solar contractors in Washington need to hold an electrical contractors' license from the Department of Labor and Industries. In some situations, the department may also conduct permit inspections to test compliance and the integrity and viability of a contractor's job.
Check Google Reviews, TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a provider's reliability and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should describe all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The typical Mill Creek solar array has a capacity of 4.4 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Mill Creek homeowners spends about $11,028 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for factors such as the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can raise your property values, qualify for tax benefits, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
Yes. The grid in Mill Creek already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Mill Creek amount to $750.
The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
While solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. As for insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should talk with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
